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News
Griffins Open League
Season With a Win Over Columbia Olde Grey 20-18
1/28/06 -- It was a great day for rugby and Greenville
certainly showed up to play, it's a pity they didn't stay around
to play. Following last weekend’s drubbing at the hands
of Charleston, last Fall’s pep in the Griffins step was
rightfully deflated and a chance to redeem themselves was on
the cards against an inform Old Grey side.
With a great gale coming from
the south, the Griffins elected to run up hill and into the
wind in the first half so that they could come home with a wet
sail in the second. It appeared to pay dividends after a penalty
against Columbia led to a charge to the line by Rob Ritz that
was foiled inches away only to have Zach Hunt scoop it up and
dive over for the first try of the day, incidentally the impact
of the big fella diving for the try caused a tsunami in nearby
Lake Keowee, the real toll will never be known. Conversion missed,
score:
Greenville 5 - Columbia 0
Shortly thereafter, Greenville found their way to the try zone
following some swift passing from backline that put "The
artist formerly known as" (Phillip Prince), over in the
corner. No one else could have scored the try once Prince got
his hands on it, he had only one thing on his mind and it certainly
wasn't, and never will be, passing. It was a great try and good
to see the pay off from the back line play, even though a newly
converted forward, second rower no less, scored it, biggy ups!!!
Conversion made, score: Greenville 12 - Columbia 0
Columbia were clearly a little stunned and despite them being
disallowed what should have been an awarded try, as Joel Hedge
managed to take it off the Rhino after the dot, they managed
to send their version of The Bus over for a try as he continued
his form of big runs. Conversion missed, score Greenville 12,
Columbia 5.
The third try by the men in green came again following some
deft backline play. Newly recruited and Furman stand out Greg
Dover scored again in the left corner, the third such try in
that area that day. Conversion missed, score Greenville 17 -
Columbia 5.
GRFC went into the half time break shortly thereafter, in control
and were set to reassert their position of dominance in the
match in the second half.
They don't say it's a game of two halves for no reason and a
wise man once said, “If you go to bed with an itchy bum,
you'd wake up with a smelly finger”. He also said “The
only guaranteed way to win a match, is to win both halves”.
Remember “down hill, wet sail”? ...HAH!
The ensuing 35 minutes saw the spectatorship increase by 15,
and not because a bunch of people showed up at half time, but
because 15 guys wearing Greenville jerseys were doing just that...spectating.
Having gone into the break having just scored a try, Columbia
continued with their dominating ways and pushed ahead to lead
18-17 following 2 penalty conversions and a converted try with
20 minutes remaining. Open side, Phil Fuller had a chance to
snatch the lead back for Greenville following a ruck close to
their line but couldn't handle the ball and lost it forward
over the line, things were not going well.
The winds
were angry that day my friends, I tell you if they were blowing
at
5 miles an hour, they were 50 and despite any inklings to go
for touch after being awarded a penalty, and recapture the game
through a try, Mully assured Griffin’s captain, Joel Hedge
that he would make the kick from the assigned position. At that
very moment, the winds stopped blowing, a flock of doves flew
over head and peace was formed in the Middle East, and Greenville
decided to let it ride with the boot, which is what would have
been given had the kick failed. The skies opened up, people
ran for cover, mutha nature threw everything she had at Mullikin,
but he slotted it over just the same. Score, Greenville 20,
Columbia 18, 16 minutes remaining.
With Greenville now receiving the kickoff, they had to play
smart footy and ride it out, nothing crazy, just keep possession,
maybe seal it with a try or force the issue with another penalty
kick. All was fine as Greenville went into a ruck and with a
minute remaining got nabbed for being to grabby...hands in the
ruck. The ball was placed 40 meters out, just left of the upright
with a right footed kicker who had been fairly accurate all
day the Griffins were again in a bad spot. Once again the wild
winds stopped for a moment and it seemed their indiscretions
would be the downfall, but the good graces of the rugby gods
were smiling upon GRFC and the penalty kick went right. A 22
restart that found touch would end the match, if only it ended
there. The kick went to their 22 and with their #15 attempting
to counter attack but a menacing tackle from the South African
speedster Brett Van Der Merwe picked him up and dumped him on
his back. Finally a break caught by Greenville as the ref called
Olde Grey for hands in the ruck. We kicked it out, game over,
Greenville wins 20-18.
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